No Man's Sky

 Xbox One
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 294 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 209 out of 294
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 294
  3. Negative: 52 out of 294
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  1. Detorded
    Aug 1, 2018
    7
    This is an obvious improvement from the original game that launched two years ago. Not only does this game have much more to do in it than before, but it is also a hell of a lot prettier. No more will you see extremely ugly planets with ridiculous looking creatures, but now the planets and creatures seem to have been generated much more intelligently. Everything feels much more alive asThis is an obvious improvement from the original game that launched two years ago. Not only does this game have much more to do in it than before, but it is also a hell of a lot prettier. No more will you see extremely ugly planets with ridiculous looking creatures, but now the planets and creatures seem to have been generated much more intelligently. Everything feels much more alive as the creatures feel like they're truly living on these planets. The geography of the planets is also greatly improved as each planet (besides the desolate ones) seem to have its own look to it. This actually makes exploration worthwhile. Multiplayer is a major improvement as the game doesn't feel so lonely all the time, however I have run across multiple bugs while playing with my friend. Which leads me to my next point... the bugs are terrible. I understand that NEXT is a brand new update, but I'm hoping they get these problems fixed ASAP as a lot of the bugs are game-breaking in one way or another. I've come across bugged sentinels who wouldn't stop pursuing me (even after going into a freighter) and my friend is unable to even join my game half the time as it freezes and crashes on him. He also seems to be having an issue where whenever he loads into his own single-player session there is a good chance his game will freeze. Luckily I'm not plagued with this bug, but it's very unfair to those who are. Other than the glitches, this game is very solid. The building system gives the game much more depth, and rather than empty promises like before, this game is a worthy space exploration title. I would wait for a sale if I were you, at least until the bugs are cleared.… Expand
  2. Rtheom
    Dec 24, 2018
    5
    I'm sure this game has come a long way since it was first released, but it still has a long way to go. If this game could have a baby with Fallout 76, we'd probably actually have something worth playing.

    The terrain is pretty, but so empty that it's hardly worth looking at for too long. And we're not talking a lack of civilizations, even the animals and plants are blah at best. The    I'm sure this game has come a long way since it was first released, but it still has a long way to go. If this game could have a baby with Fallout 76, we'd probably actually have something worth playing.

    The terrain is pretty, but so empty that it's hardly worth looking at for too long. And we're not talking a lack of civilizations, even the animals and plants are blah at best.

    The survival elements are fairly unforgiving, and I would be okay with that if they just made a few basic quality of life improvements that would help make it much easier to recover. A tweaked mining tool that doesn't need to constantly be fed carbon, a slightly bigger ship to make death less painful early game, and a better variety of resources scattered across planet surfaces would be nice. Eliminate the fact that running and jumping drains your oxygen, up the amount of time you can spend outside in hazards and make it easier to locate you ship, base or other people. Do all that and you'd have a half-way acceptable game. As it is right now, it's too janky and demanding for any but the most dedicated of players.

    A solid basis to build from, but this game still needs about 5 years of work to get to something worth talking about.    … Expand
  3. Mrman7
    Dec 13, 2018
    7
    No Man's Sky is an astounding technical achievement filled with stunning beauty and an awe-inspiring sense of freedom. The problem is that the survival mode is too much of a grind and the creative mode is too easy. There's no middle ground to explore this impressive procedurally generated universe where the game is challenging enough to engage the player but not frustratinglyNo Man's Sky is an astounding technical achievement filled with stunning beauty and an awe-inspiring sense of freedom. The problem is that the survival mode is too much of a grind and the creative mode is too easy. There's no middle ground to explore this impressive procedurally generated universe where the game is challenging enough to engage the player but not frustratingly time-consuming. In that sense, I can't really recommend No Man's Sky as a game, but as a technological breakthrough in the genre of open world exploration it's not to be missed.… Expand
  4. pettywee
    Aug 19, 2018
    7
    Great game, I have already been playing over 100 hours in a few weeks. There are obviously some repeatable actions as in every game. Additionally - I totally agree the worlds (planets) could be more diverse, same as space station interiors, building etc... however how much this game has to offer for these little issues is completely acceptable, and I would recommend it anyway. The incomingGreat game, I have already been playing over 100 hours in a few weeks. There are obviously some repeatable actions as in every game. Additionally - I totally agree the worlds (planets) could be more diverse, same as space station interiors, building etc... however how much this game has to offer for these little issues is completely acceptable, and I would recommend it anyway. The incoming patches will add more diversity (accordingly to what I is announced), and the game can be even better. Minus three points for this little lack of diversity described above, and still way too many bugs - they must be fixed some of them unable to complete main plot. I am Polish and the translation to my language is really good with minor errors or not translated phrases, names... I suppose this is also well taken care in other languages that are available for this game. NMS Next offers many different missions that could be assigned from different Agents - on planets, space stations or even in space meeting them in Freighters. Addionally - you can play dogfigts against piates, smugglers or hostile civilizations. I have been flying around between 5 stars completing the tasks and did not want to go to main task because it had been so much attracting me... The rewards and new weapons, ships, building the base, trading. The building base must be here mentioned - you can now without any limitations build own base in any planet, create a farm (with some space plants), and employ - scientist, farmer and other spaecialsts that will help you develop your weapons, create new blueprints. There are also simple tasks of the treasure hunting - searching for artifacts or extraordinary blueprints (also spaceships could be found). I played this game back in 2015 and it was not that good.. I had been getting bored quickly. This one is much more interesting. There are also new views - you can now have the 3rd party view of your hero as well as spaceship. You can customize the suit of your Astronaut so that you for example will be playin the Gek. Also the sound and the music are good however it could possibly be more and better sounds in the spaceships (again more diversity required - maybe employing some of the developers of Elite Dangerous - they have been creating in ED really good sounds ;) ). The game will be developed and there are plans to allow completing the community missions that will be rewarding. Additionally now you can play online with friends - up to 5. This also could be expanded allowing meeting all of the players in the galaxies all the time however who knows I have not played the MP yet however I heard it is even more attractive. There are apparently big plans towards this game from the developer (this could be much better from any space simulator. Recommended for all fans of Star Wars, Space, all People interested in extraterrestial life so called UFO. I give 7 / 10 mainly for the bugs, and little repeatitveness in the planets flora, fauna, space stations inside landing pads could also be more elaborated, the space is also too colourfull. There should be much less of the nebulaes and more black systems. Anyway it is worth of playing.… Expand
  5. AlexKidd
    Oct 30, 2020
    5
    There's a lot to do in this game, maybe too much. It's overwhelming, the game doesn't give you much to go on. More frustrating than fun. Basebuilding and exploring are great though. Framerate issues are also one of the things that makes this game frustrating.
  6. HezTay95
    Aug 11, 2019
    7
    If this game launched on day one of how it is now, we would have a game of they year contender in 2016.
  7. CrazyEbi
    Sep 28, 2019
    7
    When this game first came out it was a 5/10 at best due to lack of content and being a product that people bought based on flat out lies by Sean Murray. But HelloGames did their homework and step by step the game has been improved to be the product that was promised and even a little more than that with some added features there was no mention of before. Still though I can't give it moreWhen this game first came out it was a 5/10 at best due to lack of content and being a product that people bought based on flat out lies by Sean Murray. But HelloGames did their homework and step by step the game has been improved to be the product that was promised and even a little more than that with some added features there was no mention of before. Still though I can't give it more than a 7. Performance issues on all platforms and the repetitive grind are still there and I don't think it deserves a higher score than a 7 because they lied to us in the past. They do deserve respect for owning up to their mistake and fixing the game! But even so it's only good, it's not great.… Expand
  8. turkayngravay
    Jan 7, 2020
    6
    This game is quite controversial, and with any game with this huge of a concept, that's to be expected. As a concept, this game sounds amazing. Unfortunately, it does not deliver in gameplay. Flying is great whether its in space or in a planet's atmosphere. Being able to just fly to a planet without any loading screens is really incredible. Though when you actually land and walk aroundThis game is quite controversial, and with any game with this huge of a concept, that's to be expected. As a concept, this game sounds amazing. Unfortunately, it does not deliver in gameplay. Flying is great whether its in space or in a planet's atmosphere. Being able to just fly to a planet without any loading screens is really incredible. Though when you actually land and walk around is right about where the game gets clunky and for me, almost unplayable. Movement and responsiveness are just horrible. Mining with your tools, shooting hostile creatures, and terraforming are flawed to the point that they ruin the game for me. Crafting and building are fun, flying is fun, but unfortunately a lot of the game takes place on foot, and the gameplay at that level doesn't cut it for me. As far as the universe this game takes place in, there really is a seemingly infinite amount of planets to explore... although they're just procedurally generated environments so what you'll end up finding is a planet that's essentially 99% open and empty areas.

    Great concept that didn't quite deliver as a fun game.    … Expand
  9. Yakuzet
    Sep 7, 2023
    7
    liked the freedom this game gives. but has too many problems. still. its **** 2023 bro and you still crush frequently. but likes to fly in universe explore etc. idea is good but work is not that good still again its been 7 years and you cant fix your problems.
  10. notlinkycat
    Nov 27, 2020
    7
    This game first started out as the biggest disappointment of the decade. All of the hype that was built up, just for it to become a buggy mess with broken promises. However, the developers didn't give up on the game. They made it from a game of broken promises to a game that was more than promised. However, patches will not fix the history that this game has created. The game is fun, butThis game first started out as the biggest disappointment of the decade. All of the hype that was built up, just for it to become a buggy mess with broken promises. However, the developers didn't give up on the game. They made it from a game of broken promises to a game that was more than promised. However, patches will not fix the history that this game has created. The game is fun, but can be a bit tedious and confusing. I play it a lot, but again, the beginning was rough, so that is why this game deserves a 7.… Expand
  11. Vini2fs
    Mar 11, 2021
    7
    no man's sky is a complicated case, it was released missing many things that were promised and that are now in the game, but even if the game is much better now it doesn’t mean it’s a great game, its focus is on collecting resources that make it a bit repetitive and boring.
  12. Slckaer
    Mar 16, 2021
    6
    4k and most of the time 60fps on the series X is fine. It looks good and runs good with some frame drops. That all about the good things... (sadly)

    The game is mediocre, lot's of grinding and repetitive gameplay. No voice acting makes the game feel dull. Terrible user interface, I struggled a lot to figure simple things out... The game had a lot of potential but it failed. I expected    4k and most of the time 60fps on the series X is fine. It looks good and runs good with some frame drops. That all about the good things... (sadly)

    The game is mediocre, lot's of grinding and repetitive gameplay. No voice acting makes the game feel dull. Terrible user interface, I struggled a lot to figure simple things out...

    The game had a lot of potential but it failed. I expected a lot but now I am disapointed a lot.    … Expand
  13. Mastereed
    Jul 1, 2023
    7
    JOURNEY TO THE CORE

    BEFORE WE START: No Man's Sky was developed and published by Hello Games and released in 2016. This title was released under completely adverse conditions compared to those presented at various conventions and fairs, and therefore, it was heavily criticized. After dozens of updates, the game became very similar to what was originally announced. The title has been    JOURNEY TO THE CORE

    BEFORE WE START:
    No Man's Sky was developed and published by Hello Games and released in 2016. This title was released under completely adverse conditions compared to those presented at various conventions and fairs, and therefore, it was heavily criticized. After dozens of updates, the game became very similar to what was originally announced. The title has been fully released on Game Pass PC.

    THE TAKE OFF:
    No Man's Sky, as a pure survival game, instantly throws the player into the clutches of a planet immersed in the infinite universe. This planet can randomly be peaceful or malevolent, making the first steps more or less challenging depending on the type. The initial stages mainly involve learning the basics of survival, as well as constructing a small personal base. After these steps, the player will be unleashed into the universe of the Atlas, a mysterious deity or legend that requires the player to reach the center of the universe. As an interlude, the player can literally explore endless planets, take on dozens of side missions, and build bases on planets or immense frigates.

    STALENESS UNIVERSE:
    The gameplay of No Man's Sky is as varied as it is repetitive. In addition to the mere survival aspect of collecting resources, surviving in hostile planets, and fighting sentinels, players can venture into cooperative missions and raids on frigates and outposts. Furthermore, a small part of the game certainly involves space battles, albeit very simple ones. The true heart of the gameplay in this immense title lies in the exploration of thousands of planets, which often differ greatly, and the various space wrecks. A small mechanic that encourages exploration is the bestiary and encyclopedia of creatures and objects on the planets, offering small rewards in currency.

    WHAT COLOR IS THE SPACE?:
    Graphically, it is rather average, with a wide variety of designs and coloration of the different worlds. Certainly, the imagination behind some plants and creatures is exceptional.

    SCATTERED ECHOES:
    The audio component, like the graphics, is average. However, its great merit lies in creating extremely relaxing and mesmerizing situations, with fitting soundtracks for deep space.

    BUT WHY 7?

    PROS:
    No Man's Sky is currently an extremely enjoyable and relaxing title to play and explore. The vastness and creativity of the game world rarely become tiresome, and the game's writing is unique and detailed, keeping the player engaged. Additionally, the main story, being very philosophical, will certainly stimulate the minds of the most imaginative players.

    CONS:
    The major problem with No Man's Sky lies in the immense repetitiveness that it reaches within a few days of gameplay. Every space station, NPC, planetary base, frigate, and most dialogues will always and uniformly be the same. Moreover, the game's strong survival aspect often leads to tedious farming sequences for normal gameplay actions. All these factors make it a highly enjoyable game even today, but it certainly doesn't lack some issues dating back to its release.

    RATINGS:
    Gameplay: 6.5
    Music: 7.5
    Story: 7
    Survival: 6
    _    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Xbox One Game of 2018
14
#14 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2018
13
#13 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Sep 12, 2018
    80
    Wonderful for exploration but has some issues with resource management. [Oct 2018, p.75]
  2. GameCritics
    Sep 7, 2018
    80
    No Man’s Sky NEXT was a meditative experience for me. The simple loop of landing, scanning flora and fauna, scrounging for minerals, and finally walking up a hill to experience a breathtaking vista never got old. Others may struggle with the game’s openness, and others will likely feel intimidated by such a non-guided experience. But for those craving an experience full of addictive play loops and the ability to go anywhere? This game is for them.
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  3. Video Chums
    Aug 29, 2018
    84
    A fun laid-back exploration experience and it has the unique honour of featuring the largest open world in all of gaming. However, don't go in expecting an exciting or challenging campaign because it's simply not either of those things.
    Read full review
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